[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/lateral/)

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# lateral

adjective (lateral); noun (a lateral — in some sports)

«lateral» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Lateral means to do with the side or sides; moving sideways. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#m1)
2. Lateral thinking means solving problems in a new, clever way instead of the usual step-by-step way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#m2)

### In the lessons

In maths, the lateral faces of a prism or pyramid are the side faces (not the bases). In science and PE, lateral movement is sideways. Puzzles in class may need lateral thinking. Phrases: «lateral thinking», «lateral movement», «lateral faces».

### Examples

- A square pyramid has four lateral faces. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x1)
- Crabs move with a lateral walk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x2)
- This riddle needs lateral thinking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x3)
- Find the lateral surface area of the cylinder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x4)
- The fish has a lateral line along its side to sense movement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x5)
- The goalkeeper made a quick lateral dive. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/#x6)

### Note

Formal/technical; everyday: «sideways». Lateral faces are the side faces only; total surface area adds the bases.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lateral» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lateral/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lateral» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lateral.html) on Mova free.